Page 61 of Mine

I shook my head. “Si, really this isn’t as big of a thing for me as it is for you, so please don’t worry about me.”

I tried not to think about what I would do if Cal was here.

He would’ve taken me to prom for sure.

We walked intoCamille, one of the largest dress shops.

“So, what’s with the green theme Sienna?” I cleared my throat, desperate to change the subject.

I noticed Rosie texting on her phone and tried to sneak a peek. She clutched the phone to her chest and giggled.

“Nope, you’re not seeing who I am texting.”

I shrugged and walked around the store, my fingers touching the different fabrics, the embellishments shimmering under the store lights. I turned to see the girls gasping over a deep crimson dress, in a mermaid off-the-shoulder split-front style.

Rosie selected her size eagerly, and I walked with her to the changing rooms to try it on.

“Oh, my God, it is sotight,Gretch,” I heard her wailing as she wriggled around. “Almost got it!”

She pulled back the curtain a few minutes later, and I gasped at her.

“Shit, Rosie…”

“How is it possible that this is the dress?! The first one I have tried on?!” She twirled around and I clapped my hands happily.

“You look amazing, I bet your secret date will feel like the luckiest man in the world!”

She laughed as she fixed a diamond choker around her slender throat. She was beaming; she knew how good she looked.

“I’m sure he will. Stop fishing, it’s tradition in my family that we never share our date’s name until the actual prom. Even to my bestie.”

She gave me a puppy dog smile that made me laugh, and I let it go.

I felt a pang of regret that I wouldn’t be doing this tonight, but I know there is no way I could—not without Cal.

Rosie scurried off to get changed and as I came out, Sienna passed me in a flurry of green.

I sat in the plush red armchair reserved for people giving their verdicts on the dresses, pulling my phone out to see an empty screen. I slid my phone away and smiled as Sienna came out in the first of what would be many dresses.

A few hours later we were sat in Guilty Pleasures, finishing our delicious ice cream, a comfortable silence between us. We’d gossiped about who was going with whom to prom, the latest scandal being that Luke was taking Krystal. It didn’t matter to me at all; being with Luke felt like a lifetime ago.

As the girls hugged me goodbye before they headed off for their hair and makeup appointments, I gulped down tears.

“Ah, group hug!” cried Sienna.

“I feel like such a shitty friend,” sobbed Rosie as she pulled away. “How can you not be coming to prom…?”

I wiped her eyes and squeezed her hands. “This is my decision, okay? Don’t you dare let this ruin your night. You’ll make memories that you will remember forever! But will you do me a favour? Can you please text me the name of your date?!” I swallowed a lump in my throat.

Sienna rolled her eyes and started reeling off names of potential dates to which Rosie ignored, turning to me.

“Yes! It’s just a silly family tradition…” she blushed.

We said our goodbyes, and I walked back to the car park, slipping my earphones into the socket of the phone to play my latest mix. I walked down the stairs, not looking where I was going. I exited out onto the street, the sky already dull, the clouds dark, the air charged with the promise of a storm.

I pulled my coat around me until I reached the bus stop, music blaring in my ears. I didn’t notice the car pull up beside me until it was blocking the bus stop, and a familiar head leaned out the window.

“Gretchen, let me give you a ride. Please.”